Tug-of-war between regulars at Ballasalla's Whitestone pub
A PETITION to keep a landlord behind the bar at a Ballasalla pub has provoked another petition — to get him out!
When news broke that brewer Heron and Brearley was considering moving landlord Clive Kermode, 42, from the Whitestone Inn to a pub in the north of the Island, a petition was launched by Andrea Roberts, wife of the vicar at Abbey Church, urging the brewery to keep him in Ballasalla.
The petition was signed by so many people it ran to 12 pages and read: 'We the undersigned request that Clive (Kermode] remain our publican at the Whitestone Inn.
'During his time in Ballasalla he has regenerated the Whitestone, revived community feeling within the village and welcomed many Islanders to enjoy the food and ambience.'
The brewery has subsequently told Mr Kermode he can stay on at the pub.
But not everyone agreed and now more than 150 people have signed a new petition which calls for Mr Kermode to be removed.
Ballasalla resident Wendy Mahoney is behind the petition, which says the people have 'had enough' and 'want him out'.
12th January 2009.